Oregon’s forest protection laws

Sustainability is at the core of Oregon's laws regarding forest practices and land use planning. Oregon law states that the continued growing and harvesting of trees is the leading use of private forestland. And it requires landowners to protect soil, air, water and wildlife habitat for future generations.

Planning and protecting for the future

Oregon has strict laws for protecting forests. Some have been in place since 1941. Oregonians recognize that assuring the abundance of our forest resources helps everyone, and that keeping them economically viable prevents their conversion into non-forest use. These laws have been developed and updated as an ongoing collaboration among scientists, landowners, elected officials and the general public. They help ensure that forests in Oregon’s 36 counties operate under a unified set of guidelines and practices to sustain our forestlands for generations to come. Forest laws provide protection for soil, air, water, fish, wildlife and forest resources.

1971: Oregon became the first state to implement a comprehensive set of laws governing forest practices, with the Oregon Forest Practices Act (OFPA). Leaders from the forest sector helped develop these laws to guide pre-operation planning, education for operators, and cooperative efforts between landowners and government.

1971-Present: In the time since the OFPA became law, Oregon has adopted additional rules that help protect forests, water quality and wildlife habitat. The OFPA is periodically updated to reflect new scientific data, new operating technology and new forestry practices, to ensure our forest resources are properly protected.

A Day in the Woods: The Oregon Forest Practices Act

Join Mike Cloughesy and Nicole Strong as they discuss Oregon’s evolving forest protection laws. Everyone wants Oregon to have sustainable forests, for all our environmental, social and economic needs. Oregon’s strong laws and modern forest practices help bolster that sustainability.

Evolving laws

Oregon’s forest protection rules have continued to be revised as scientists learn more about forests and forest practices. Today, the Oregon Forest Practices Act has 288 enforceable rules that apply to state and private forestland.

Key Oregon forest protection laws:

Reforestation

Reforestation is Oregon law. It is a cornerstone of Oregon’s forest practices rules. Requiring landowners to promptly...

Water Protection

Much of Oregon’s municipal water originates in forested watersheds, including those managed for wood production...

Habitat protection

Openings have always occurred in the forest. Historically they were created by wind or fire, and many animal species...

Harvest Regulations

In Oregon, private forest landowners, loggers and timber companies harvest trees in a variety of ways, but all must...

Forest Roads

Forest roads are essential for getting timber to the mill and for fighting wildfire.

Herbicides

Oregon is one of the best tree-growing regions in the world, but even our fast-growing, native species such as...

Landslides

Sustained wet weather on steep slopes can make soils unstable, causing a landslide. In remote areas, the impacts...